Community FoodBank of New Jersey -- Southern Branch Receives Two OceanFirst Foundation Grants To Fund Essential Programs

EGG HARBOR TWP, NJ — The Community FoodBank of New Jersey – Southern Branch announced two grants from OceanFirst Foundation, which will fund a database to more efficiently track impact and will support the creation of a nutrition program in partnership with AtlantiCare. These grants align with OceanFirst Foundation’s commitment to funding programs that improve health and quality of life.

More than 71,000 people in Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties struggle with food insecurity. The Southern Branch responds to the need in these counties through its more than 300 community partners – including local food pantries and soup kitchens, as well as its on-site pantry – and through a range of food programs.

One grant will fund Oasis Insight, a client-level data management platform designed specifically for food banks. The information collected will improve the quality and efficiency of FoodBank services throughout Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties.

The other grant will support a diabetes-focused pilot program at the Pantry at the Plex, a partnership with AtlantiCare, which distributes food, administers medical screenings and provides nutrition education for low-income families in Atlantic City. OceanFirst Foundation’s funding will help the FoodBank expand offerings at the Pantry at the Plex with food incentives to encourage participation at educational sessions.

“We are thrilled to receive these important grants from OceanFirst Foundation in support of our work to distribute more nutritious food among children and families in Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties,” said Richard Uniacke, Vice President of Southern Branch at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “In these three counties, 1 in 5 children faces hunger, and we want to ensure they have access to nutritious food so they can learn and grow. This funding will help us expand programs that address hunger as a health issue and, ultimately, eliminate hunger in New Jersey.”

ABOUT COMMUNITY FOODBANK OF NEW JERSEY:

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey, a member of Feeding America®, provides people across the state with food, help and hope. The FoodBank distributed over 50 million pounds of food last year to its more than 1,000 community partners including pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, mobile pantries, and child and senior feeding programs. More than 4.7 million times a year, someone in need is fed by the FoodBank’s network of partners. For our neighbors, especially families, and for the volunteers and donors who support them, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey is the powerful change agent that fills the emptiness caused by hunger with the basic human essentials people need to survive.

CONTACT: Mary Faddoul, Communications Manager, mfaddoul@cfbnj.org / 908-355-3663 ext. 282